The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-08-11
"THE LAST BATTLE"
The Night Fight Of UPton's Division, OF Wilson's
Cavalry, at Columbus, Ga.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Seeing the
communication of +. Nj. Riddle, Sd Ind. bat
terry, IN THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE of June 8.
1857. claiming that the last battle was fought
on April 9. 1866, at Fort Blakely, / cannot help
giving a scrap of history taken from my diary
for 1865, now before me. On the 2d of April
Wilson's Cavalry Corps captured Selma, Ala,
aud about 1000 prisoners. artillery, etc. IL did
not leave Selma until Sunday evening, April
9. and on the 10th of April passed through
Montgomery, aud on Sunday night, April rs.
occurred the night fight at Columbus, Ga.
Gen. UPTON. with his division, captured the
city about 10 o'clock p. M, getting, If
mistake not, about 800 prisoners and IS pieces
Of artillery.
| know / am not mistaken in regard to this
Sight, rs it was not To be forgotten by those
participating. / well remember that my COM
pany tM) was one of four companies OF our
regiment that charged, mounted, in column OF
fours, and the command given by our gallant
and brave Col. T. K. WnslOw. who commanded
our brigade, was, "Boys, 90 for the bridge"
The bridge was over the Chattahooche River.
connecting the towns of Golconda, Ala, and
Columbus, Ga. / well remember we did Ego
for the bridge" and also remember that Col.
Lamar, of South Carolina was killed at the Co
lumbus end of the bridgc-shOt down while in
the act OF firing piece OF artillery loaded with
| canister, standing in such position as TO sweep
I
one, damned full of rebels and he dared not
use his artillery until they were out of the
way. Many OF our boys got ahead Of the rebels,
and thus saved the bridge aud many lives.
also remember that a soldier of my COM
pauy-"Wild Bill" he was called-carried the
body fthe Colonel out of the street. and in doing
so found a very fine gold watch and chain on
his person. / have always thought that gold
watch and chain caused some stirring around
in Gen. UptOns Division, as the COOnels wife
! was quite anxious to get them, and the Colo
mel was Mason. / never knew Just what
became of the watch and chain; perhaps some
OF the old members of Co. NJ, 4th Iowa Cav,
could tell. If So they need not be afraid to do
so. No danger now Of being marched out in
line, rs at Macon, Ga, and searched.
On the 18th of April the First Division OF
! Wilson's Corps had another fight killing Lieut.
Gen. Tyler, of the rebel army, and capturing l70
| lrisoners and three guns, aud on April y, lo65
our advance had running fight going into
| Macon, Ga. / do not claim this last as a hattie,
but do think that Gen..U ptons Division OF
| Wilson's Cavalry Corps fought the last battle
west Of the Mississippi River. and that a cor
rect history OF the war will So state.
On April %, 1865, we first learned that an
armistice had been agreed upon. that Lee had
surrendered, aud that the lamented Lincoln had
been assassinated. j well remember when the
news Of LineOln's death was received il was
hard to keep the boys of our command from
giving every rebel they met dose of cold
lead. but better Judgment prevailed, aud in
time this feeling Gained down.-D. j. VANCE
Co NJ, 4th Iowa Cav, Mankato, Kan.